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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Prior to last season’s trade deadline he was with the Vancouver Canucks, pretty sure he would not be moved, but waiting to find out of Roberto Luongo was going to be traded.

Today, it’s pretty certain the Devils are not going trade Schneider before the 3 p.m. league deadline and he’s waiting to find out of Martin Brodeur will be traded.

Last season, Luongo was not traded. What will happen with Brodeur remains unknown, though it’s been very quiet so far as he enter the final half hour before the 3 p.m. deadline.

“Last year was very different circumstances and a unique situation just like this is a unique situation,” Schneider said after today’s optional practice. “So, I try not to compare the two. It’s part of the business. It’s how the game works and it’s a reality that maybe you’re a little naïve when you first come in and in you’re with your first organization and then you realize that people move on, things happen and you just have to deal with it.

“You’ve got friendships, guys get traded and you’re still friends with them and you still keep in touch with people. Just because a guy gets moved that doesn’t mean you cease all contact or they don’t exist anymore. Life goes on.”

The draft day trade that sent Schneider from Vancouver to the Devils last June took many, including Schneider, Luongo and Brodeur, by surprise and has led to the point now that Brodeur has said he’s open to moving to another team – and, thus, waiving his no-trade clause – if GM Lou Lamoriello can find an opportunity for him to play more and get something back to help the Devils in return.

Schneider said he has “no idea” what Brodeur will ultimately decide.

“It’s something he’s dealing with privately with Lou and it’s really none of our business or not our place to ask him what he’s doing,” Schneider said. “So, I think we respect his wishes and his privacy and we’ll see how this plays out.”

Schneider has stated all along that he hopes Brodeur is not traded and they continue to be teammates for the rest of the season.

“It’s what we’ve been doing all year and he’s played well for us, especially getting a big win last night,” Schneider said. “People talk about insurance for other teams. Well, it’s never a bad thing to have two good goalies on your own team, if we’re looking to make a push here, which I think we are and we believe we can get in the playoffs. Not that I have any doubt in my abilities, but, again, things happen, people get hurt, stuff changes. He’s an asset to us and we view him in the highest regard.”

If Brodeur were to be traded, then that would leave Schneider as the Devils’ clear No. 1. As he’s said since the Devils traded for him, Schneider does not view himself as Brodeur’s replacement.

“I don’t know what to think right now. He’s still here. I don’t think you ever replace Marty. I’m not him, I’m not going to be him, but I’m going to try to be myself and do my own things and take some of the stuff that I’ve learned from a lot of great people who I’ve played with along the way – him being one of them. So, again, you’re never going to replace Marty in lieu of what he’s done and been doing for this team for so long. So, I don’t look at it that way.

“I just look at it as trying to create your own path and create your own career.”

Schneider said he “chatted back and forth” with Luongo after he was traded to Florida Tuesday.

“A pretty shocking move,” Schneider said. “So, if this is what he wants, then I’m happy for him.”

When I asked if he would have believed it a year ago that neither he nor Luongo would be in Vancouver now, he replied, “Maybe. It’s been an interesting few months and years there.”

About

TOM GULITTI has covered the New Jersey Devils for The Record since 2002. Prior to that, he covered the New York Rangers for four years. Gulitti joined The Record in 1998 after six years at The North Jersey Herald News. He graduated from Binghamton University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric-Literature.